I own and use both as well...but much prefer the ambidextrous tang safety of the 590.

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NRA Life Member (2003)
USN Retired
I think that one of the notions common to the anti-gunner is the idea that being a victim is 'noble'; as if it is better to be noble in your suffering than disruptive in your own defense.

The 590 SPECIAL PURPOSE and 590A-1 have Parkerized receivers. You CANNOT Parkerize aluminum.

It's pretty obvious you don't own one, but you can google it and find 1000 posts saying the receiver is aluminum, or you can continue to believe it's steel. I touched a magnet to my 590A1 receiver and guess what, it doesn't stick. Who says the receiver is parkerized anyway? The barrel is parkerized.

The fastest current production pump action, based on breaking 7 hand thrown clays, is the 500.

IMHO, that's the expertise of the shooter not the quality of the gun. Do you really think the gun was 'fresh-out-of-the-box' from Big-5? Using that as a reason to buy a gun makes about as much sense as buying a car brand because it's A NSACAR winner.

If you really want to buy a gun based on performance, check out Perazzi's standings at the last Olympics. You can get a gun just like the champs use. Since many "tactical" shotguns either are converted to sporting uses or become closet queens, does if really make a difference between Mossberg or Remington?

Case on point: Many years ago, one of my business partners wanted a HD shotgun. He'd shot some Skeet with one of my O/U and exhibited exceptional hand-eye coordination, so he wasn't a total shotgun newbie. He did a comparison and eventually selected a Mossberg based on price. He shot a few rounds of Skeet with it and assured me that he's shoot it enough to maintain proficiency. I didn't hear anything about the Mossberg for several years. When he was remodeling his home, on a seaside bluff, he taken the neglected Mossberg out of the closet only to find it badly corroded. I tend to think his wasn't a unique case.

No, you can't parkerize aluminum, however, you CAN anodize it most any color to match parkerizing which is what Mossberg does. Sorry but Mossberg receivers are not made out of steel, be it an A1 or not.

I just did a bit of research - it is the Remington Tactical that has a steel receiver, Mossberg 590A1 has aluminum, anodized receiver.
Jack Black and USMC Grunt are correct, I was wrong and I stand corrected.
No I don't own a 590, I've owned a 500 20" Persuader and currently own a 535 with a variety of barrels. My HD shotgun is a Remington 870 Marine Magnum. Sorry for the confusion.IMG_2368.jpg

go where people shoot alot, trap field,skeet range,five stand and count how many mossbergs you see? where i shoot all the aboved games,400 rounds a week is not alot. i shoot two rem 870,s,a TC, and a TB along with a old 1100. out of 75-90 shooters not a mossberg is on the line. years ago i used a mossberg in .20ga to hunt small game and it was a good shot gun for hunting, shooting 2-3 boxs a year it will last a life time,but it is not for high volume useage. eastbank.

I don't like pistol grips on shotguns and I don't trust safeties. But if you do, you probably want an 870 - the 870's safety is on the trigger guard, and the 590's is on the tang, where it's impossible to manipulate with the firing/trigger hand.

I have had a 590 for 10+ years now and like it. I looked at 590A1's at a gun shop the other day and was impressed with the width of the barrel walls. I don't imagine I'll ever bayonet anyone (to begin with, I don't own a bayonet) but Murphy has a way of making things break/bend/dent at the worst possible times, and the 590A1 looked more durable/idiot-proof. If I had it to do over, I'd buy the 590A1 over the 590. The 590 is nothing to sneeze at, however.

The closest I've come to buying one of these was the heft each in the store. The Remington felt far more comfortable in my hands and shouldered, which would probably push me over to it. Have never shot either gun, though.

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Blessed is the man who has nothing to say, and cannot be compelled to say it.

If you get a 590, MAKE SURE THE MAG SPRING is not defective. I got a used one and the spring kinked every time the tube was loaded. I found out too late that it was a problem with LOTS of 590s. That's probably why a near new shotgun went for so comapratively little. The shop didn't say a thing about the problem with that particular weapon, or 590s in general.
A Wolff spring replacement solved the problem.

I thought about that, but researching the problem I heard SO much good about Wolff that I had to get one. It'a a lulu, and feels like a tube spring oughta. I just wanted to get the info out there in case anyone was thinking about buying a used one. Mine's a 590, 9 shot SP (now that the spring works) blue with shield and "accessory" lug. The bolt is NOT blued. Guess it's reasonably new, it looks BRAND NEW and the forend is as one with the charging arms. That means post 2008 manufacture or something? Mossberg hasn't responded to emails asking about YOM. It's T282xxx SN.

I had been looking for a Mav 800 when I saw this 590 for like 100 bux more than a Mav. I pounced.

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